Managing Medications Effectively: In-Home Care Strategies for Seniors
Tips To Help Seniors Avoid Medication Side Effects
Seniors who take multiple medications have a higher risk of side effects like nausea if they don’t take their medications correctly. And because many medications have different criteria it can be difficult for seniors to keep track of how they are supposed to take certain medications. In-home care can help seniors manage their medications and lower the risk of side effects. But seniors can also use these tips to help avoid side effects like heartburn, bloat, and upset stomach when they take their medications:
Take Medications As Directed
The number one thing that seniors should be doing to minimize side effects is taking their medications exactly as prescribed. If a medication says it should be taken with food, take it with food. If it should be taken only at night, only take it at night. The directions given for each medication should help minimize the side effects.
In-Home Care: Senior Medications in Glenview, IL
Keep A Medication Schedule
A medication schedule can help seniors follow the directions for their medications and take those medications when they are supposed too take them. In-home care is a big help when it comes to organizing medications and setting a schedule. Seniors who are having trouble keeping track of their medications may need elder are to help them keep it all straight.
Set Medication Alarms
Medication alarms are a good way to remind seniors when it’s time to take their medications. If your senior parent has an In-home care provider with them during they day they may not need alarms during the day. However, they may need alarm reminders at night if they have medications that need to be taken before bed.
Report Side Effects
Seniors who are having side effects from their medications need to let their primary care doctor know all of the side effects that they are experiencing. Even if those side effects aren’t severe they should be reported. Your senior parent’s doctor may want to change the medication or adjust the dose to eliminate the risk of side effects. Side effects also could indicate other problems that the doctor needs to know about.
Make Sure You Primary Care Doctor Knows All Medications
It’s very common for medications to interact badly with other medications. That’s why your senior parent’s primary care doctor needs to know all of the medications that have been prescribed for them. If your senior parent is seeing a specialist for a particular condition or has prescriptions from several doctors the primary care doctor needs to know.
An In-home care provider can help create a master list of all the prescriptions that your senior loved one takes and the dosages. That list can be submitted to the doctor so that the doctor can make any changes needed to minimize the risk of bad interactions.
Use Home Remedies
For side effects like bloating or upset stomach some ginger ale, peppermint tea, or anti-nausea medications may help seniors take their medication without uncomfortable side effects. Eating a few crackers before taking medication can sometimes help too.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Glenview, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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